Retractable cantilevered watercraft canopy system

ABSTRACT

A retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system has a retractable canopy which covers the watercraft while moored to a dock. The system includes a pair of whips secured to the dock by a pair of mounts. Each whip includes a tie-down line. Each whip includes a tie-down line. The retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system protects the watercraft from rubbing or bumping against the dock. In addition, a retractable canopy slides over and is secured by the pair of whips. The retractable canopy includes a support baten. The watercraft is secured by the retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system to protect the watercraft from rubbing or bumping against the dock. The canopy slides over the pair of whips. The canopy is securable relative to an exterior side of the watercraft, enabling the watercraft to be protected during severe weather conditions while the watercraft is attached to the dock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation-In-Part Application and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/466705, entitled “Cantilevered WatercraftCover System” (Eric N. Craig), filed on Mar. 3, 2017.

FIELD OF USE

The present invention relates to a canopy for a watercraft, saidwatercraft being used on a waterway, and more particularly, to aretractable cantilevered canopy for use on said watercraft when securedto a docking structure, protecting said watercraft from sun, heat,pollution, dust, acid rain, sleet, hail, and flying debris that may beencountered during severe weather conditions while said watercraft isattached to said docking structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A watercraft represents a significant investment. Watercraft which aremoored in inland rivers, and lakes which are too shallow for awatercraft lift, or are not parked for an extended period of time, canbenefit from a watercraft whip. Boat whips come in a few differentconfigurations, but the most common comprise two long fiberglass pollsaffixed to a dock with lines which attach to the boat and a tension linewhich creates tension in the polls, preventing the watercraft fromcontacting with the dock during high winds, or wakes from otherwatercraft.

None of the approaches used comes with an integral canopy which slidesover the polls and is tied to the opposite site of the boat, protectingit from any rain and sun.

-   -   U.S. application Ser. No. 13/941,527 (Templeton) discloses a        device for the protection of marine vessels. In one exemplary        embodiment, the present invention provides a canopy assembly for        a boat. The canopy assembly includes a frame assembly having a        frame member that is moveable with respect to an opposing member        to which the frame member is rotatably attached thereto. The        canopy assembly further includes one or more support members        supporting the moveable frame member. The canopy assembly        further includes one or more lift assists connected to the        moveable frame member for assisting in the raising of the frame        member with respect to the opposing member.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,556,640 (Levin) discloses a cantilevered        watercraft canopy, a plurality of vertical supports provides        support to a plurality of horizontal supports. First and second        main struts are supported by the horizontal supports. First and        second pluralities of arch members are affixed at a central        attachment point to the first main strut and second main strut,        respectively. The outer ends of the first and second pluralities        of arch members support outer struts. In the first exemplary        embodiment, the inner ends of the first and second pluralities        of arch members are affixed to one another, and the main struts        are affixed rigidly to the horizontal supports. In the second        exemplary embodiment, first and second inner struts are affixed        to the inner ends of the first and second pluralities of arch        members, and the main struts are affixed rotatably to the        horizontal supports. A canopy cover is affixed over the arch        members and struts.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,651 (Maffet) discloses a boat slip cover        systems are provided for affixing to piers having a plurality of        slips with closed and open ends, and first and second sides.        Each boat slip cover includes a flexible canopy. Fixed supports        for a first end of the canopy are disposed about the closed end        of the slip, at least one extending upward from and        perpendicular to the pier surface, and at least one extending        upward from and angular to the pier surface. Rotating supports        are disposed along each side of the slip and extend upward from        the pier. Telescoping joints are disposed along each rotating        support for their extension or retraction. A winch device is        further provided for manual positioning. A convertible pier        cover includes various retractable boat slip covers, valley        portions extending between adjacent boat slip covers and forming        an attachment on each side to an adjacent boat canopy, and a        central aisle canopy. The packaging of boat lift covers and        canopies currently being marketed is overly-complicated, costly        and difficult to explain even with instructions. In order to        communicate our assembly and disassembly, personal        demonstrations are often required. If the complicated unpacking        was not difficult enough, the procedure for layout and assembly        of the frame was oftentimes even more complex, even with written        instructions. A personal visit and demonstration are required.        In some cases, multiple training sessions are needed.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,769 (Unrast, et al.) discloses a cantilever        cover which is suspended from one side over an article to be        protected from the elements. The cover has a canopy frame and        flexible, weatherproof canopy or cover secured thereover. A pair        of canopy frame support arms extends from corresponding closed        sleeves, which ride up and down upon the vertical support        columns of a hoist assembly. Each sleeve includes a pair of        diagonally opposed rollers, which bear against opposite sides of        its respective column. A single winch (electric, hydraulic,        pneumatic, etc.) is mounted centrally upon an upper cross member        extending between the two columns, with opposed equal length        cables extending to the two canopy frame support sleeves. A        remote control extends down the hoist frame from the winch, for        operation of the device. One or more limit switches may be        installed to limit the maximum or minimum travel of the canopy        frame and cover.

However, most owners of smaller watercraft do not store the watercraftin an enclosed structure but rather tie the watercraft up to an opendock for storage most of the time.

In addition, it is often impracticable for a watercraft to be tied up ata dock or slip, and the one side of the watercraft lies exposed to theopen water.

Accordingly, there is a need for a whip system for watercraft in whichthere is a retractable canopy which slides over the whip polls and issecured to the opposite side of the watercraft, which enables theinterior of the watercraft to be protected from the sun and elements.Also, what is needed is a system that promotes safer use of watercraft,enabling better protection of a wider variety and range of sizes ofwatercraft moored at docking structures, together with increased ease ofboarding and departure.

In addition, there is a need to effectively cover the opening of thewatercraft, when not in actual use, to furnish protection from rain,dust and dirt, to preserve the paint or interior finish and to provide ameasure of protection from the sun, heat, pollution, dust, acid rain,sleet, hail, and flying debris that may be encountered during severeweather conditions, while securing the watercraft a relatively shortdistance away from a dock to protect against damaging the hull of thewatercraft as a result striking said dock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cantilevered boat canopy system of the present invention addressesthese needs.

The boat canopy ships in a box (or package) with all of the relevantcomponent parts included. There is a multiplicity of whips included inthe package depending on the size of the boat used as well as thecanopy, and batons which support the canopy laterally. The canopy slidesalong the whips and is secured to the opposite side of the boat andresembles an arched canopy when fully extended in use.

This type of canopy is commonly used is preferably used in inlandwaterways in which there is not enough depth for a traditional boatlift, or in which personal watercraft are only temporarily moored. It isintended to keep watercraft from coming into contact with the dock uponwhich the watercraft is moored to from wakes generated by passingwatercraft and wind which can push a watercraft against said dock. Thecanopy can be quickly removed for the winter, or in wind storms, andstored and then reinstalled during the summer or after inclementweather.

The retractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system of thepresent invention has a retractable canopy which covers the watercraftwhile moored to a docking structure. The system includes a pair of whipssecured to the docking structure by a pair of mounts. Each whip includesa tie-down line. Each whip includes a tie-down line. The retractablecantilevered watercraft whip mooring system protects the watercraft fromrubbing or bumping against the docking structure. In addition, aretractable canopy slides over and is secured by the pair of whips. Theretractable canopy preferably includes a support baten for ballast. Theretractable cantilevered watercraft whip mooring system of the presentinvention secures to the docking structure the watercraft and protectthe watercraft from rubbing or bumping against the docking structure.The canopy slides over the pair of whips. The canopy is securablerelative to an exterior side of the watercraft, enabling the watercraftto be protected during severe weather conditions while the watercraft isattached to the docking structure.

The term “watercraft” as used herein refers to any self-propelled vesselor craft designed for movement on the surface of or in the water. Theterm “waterway” as used herein is any navigable body of water. Awaterway may include but is not limited to a river, a lake, a bay, asound, a rapids, a sea, a lagoon, a strait, a passage, a sound, a canal,and an ocean.

For a complete understanding of the cantilevered watercraft canopysystem of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings and description in which the presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown by way of example. As the invention may beembodied in many forms without departing from spirit of essentialcharacteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawingsare for purposes of illustration and description only, and are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an assembly view of a first preferred embodiment of thecantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraftcanopy system of FIG. 1, with the canopy removed.

FIG. 3 depicts an assembly view of a second preferred embodiment of thecantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts the preferred embodiment of the cantilever watercraftcanopy system of FIG. 3, with the canopy removed.

FIG. 5 depicts an assembly view of a third preferred embodiment of thecantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the first preferredembodiment of the cantilever watercraft canopy system of the presentinvention. The watercraft canopy [1] is attached to the whips [2] andslides along the whips [2] when in use and affixed to watercraft cleats[5] via the canopy tie-down line [13] on the opposite side of thewatercraft [6] to provide tension to the watercraft canopy [2] as wellas keep the watercraft canopy [2] in position. The canopy tie-down line[13] is also used to secure the bottom of the watercraft canopy [1] tothe dock [3] and is threaded through the grommets [14] located on thebottom of the watercraft canopy [1] material. The watercraft canopy [1]is attached to the dock [3] via a plurality of dock cleats [18] mountedon the dock [3].

The whips [2] are attached to the dock [3] by way of a plurality of dockmounts [4]. Once the whips [2] are installed, the tie-up lines [7] arethen tied to the watercraft cleats [5] and the spring lines [8]. Inaddition, one or more breast lines [9] are tied to the watercraft cleats[5] as well and the tension adjusted. Once the desired tension isachieved, the watercraft will remain in place during wind gusts andwakes and securely positioned relative to other watercraft withoutimpacting the dock. To provide ballast to the watercraft canopy [1] oneor more support batens [10] which run the entire width of the canopy [1]and attach to the boat whips [2] may be used. A tie-down bracket [16] isused to secure an end of the line to each whip [2] via a tie-downbracket line [17].

One preferred embodiment for the boat whips [2] and dock mounts [4] areshown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,509, which provides a mooring whip base ofsimplified construction for economical manufacture and exemplaryperformance over an extended service life. In addition, said boat whips[2] and dock mounts [4] facilitate and simplify the selective placementand retention of a mooring whip in either a mooring position or aretracted position; places a mooring whip in a mooring position whichenables a more effective biasing of a watercraft away from a dockingstructure, and in a retracted position which provides ready access tothe watercraft for boarding and better makes way for departure of thewatercraft from the docking structure; enables the use of a shortermooring whip with increased strength positioned to provide biasingforces sufficient to perform effectively with larger watercraft, as wellas with smaller watercraft; enables a positive placement of a mooringwhip in a selectively adjustable mooring position or retracted positionfor optimum performance in a variety of installations; enhances theoperation and simplifies the use of mooring whips in connection with awider range of watercraft and docking structures; enables increasedsafety in the use of mooring whips, thereby promoting safer use ofboats; enables better protection of a wider variety and range of sizesof watercraft moored at docking structures, together with increased easeof boarding and departure.

At the base of the watercraft canopy [1] material stops [11] arepreferably deployed which prevent the material of the watercraft canopy[1] from pulling up over the whips [2] after the canopy has been securedto the watercraft cleat [5] on the side of the watercraft [6] which isopposite the dock [3]. The whips [2] are preferably made from a flexiblematerial, a fiber reinforced plastic material being the material ofchoice. Watercraft whips [2] are intended to prevent the watercraft [6]from coming into contact with a dock due to the wake produced by otherwatercraft, or from moderate winds, causing damage to the gel coat onthe hull or to the dock itself. This works via tension which is createdwhen the watercraft whips [2] are tied to the watercraft [6] and putunder tension, causing them to arc. This tension holds the watercraft[6] preferably about a couple of feet away from the dock preventingimpacts with the dock when there is wake or moderate wind. Watercraftwhips are not meant to be used in very high wind conditions, and aregenerally used for non-permanent, short-term, mooring option. The tie-uplines [7], spring lines [8] and breast lines [9] can be of any commonrope material, with the most common being nylon due to its strength,superior wear characteristics, and resistance to the elements.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict a second preferred embodiment of the cantileverwatercraft canopy system of the present invention. The watercraft canopy[101] is attached to the whips [2] and slides along the whips [2] whenin use and is affixed to watercraft cleats [5] via the canopy tie-downline [13] on the opposite side of the watercraft [6] to provide tensionto the watercraft canopy [2] as well as keep the watercraft canopy [2]in position. The canopy tie-down line [13] is also used to secure thebottom of the watercraft canopy [101] to the dock [3] and is threadedthrough the grommets [14] located on the bottom of the watercraft canopy[101] material. The watercraft canopy [101] is attached to the dock [3]via a plurality of dock cleats [18] mounted on the dock [3].

The whips [2] are attached to the dock [3] by way of a plurality of dockmounts [4]. Once the whips [2] are installed, the tie-up lines [7] arethen tied to the watercraft cleats [5] and the spring lines [8]. Inaddition, one or more breast lines [9] are tied to the watercraft cleats[5] as well and the tension adjusted. Once the desired tension isachieved, the watercraft will remain in place during wind gusts andwakes and securely positioned relative to other watercraft withoutimpacting the dock. To support the watercraft canopy [101] one or moresupport batens [10] which run the entire width of the canopy [101] andattach to the boat whips [2] may be used. A tie-down bracket [16] isused to secure an end of the line to each whip [2].

At the base of the watercraft canopy material stops [11] are preferablydeployed which prevent the material of the watercraft canopy [101] frompulling up over the whips [2] after the canopy has been secured to thewatercraft cleat [5] on the side of the watercraft [6] which is oppositethe dock [3]. The whips [2] are made from a flexible material, a fiberreinforced plastic material being the material of choice. Watercraftwhips [2] are intended to prevent the watercraft [6] from coming intocontact with a dock due to the wake produced by other watercraft, orfrom moderate winds, causing damage to the gel coat on the hull or tothe dock itself. This works via tension which is created when thewatercraft whips [2] are tied to the watercraft [6] and put undertension, causing them to arc. This tension holds the watercraft [6]preferably about a couple of feet away from the dock preventing impactswith the dock when there is wake or moderate wind. Watercraft whips arenot meant to be used in very high wind conditions, and are generallyused for non-permanent, short-term, mooring option. The tie-up lines[7], spring lines [8] and breast lines [9] can be of any common ropematerial, with the most common being nylon due to its strength, superiorwear characteristics, and resistance to the elements.

FIG. 5 depicts an assembly view of a third preferred embodiment of thecantilever watercraft canopy system of the present invention [210]. Thisthird embodiment has the mounts [4] for the whips [2] located underneaththe dock [3]. This third embodiment also does not have material stops[11] and relies on the canopy tie-down line [12] to hold the watercraftcanopy [201] in place. The cantilevered watercraft canopy [201] istailored to the shape and size of the watercraft [6].

The watercraft canopy may be made of a wide variety of suitablematerials including laminated polyester-based fabric or some otherweather-resistant flexible material, cloth, nylon, vinyl, or any marinegrade fabric. However, the watercraft canopy is preferably made of aflexible sheet material, such as conventional plastic tarp material,woven or non-woven fabrics in automobile covers, heavier canvas orsynthetic fabric material, or the like. The use of flexible sheetmaterial combined with flexible whips [2] combine to provide maximumprotection for the exposed side of the watercraft [6] away from the dock[3].

The protective canopy [1] has been used to protect parked or storedvehicles from damage caused by environmental and weather conditions suchas the sun, heat, pollution, dust, acid rain, sleet, hail, and flyingdebris that may be encountered during severe weather conditions.

Throughout this application, various Patents and Applications arereferenced by number and inventor. The disclosures of these documents intheir entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into thisspecification in order to more fully describe the state of the art towhich this invention pertains. It is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations of the cantilevered watercraft canopysystem of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes andbounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claimsrather than by the language of the above specification, and that allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointlycooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit andscope of these claims.

PARTS LIST

-   1. Watercraft Canopy—1st Embodiment-   2. Whip-   3. Dock-   4. Mount-   5. Watercraft Cleat-   6. Watercraft-   7. Tie-up Line-   8. Spring Line-   9. Breast Line-   10. Cantilevered Watercraft Canopy System—1st Embodiment-   11. Material Stop-   12. Tie-Down Line-   13. Canopy Tie-Down Line-   14. Grommet-   15. Support Baten-   16. Tie-Down Bracket-   17. Tie-Down Bracket Line-   18. Dock Cleat-   21. Exterior Surface of Watercraft-   22. Interior Surface of Watercraft-   101. Watercraft Canopy—2^(nd) Embodiment-   110. Cantilevered Watercraft Canopy System—2^(nd) Embodiment-   201. Watercraft Canopy—3^(rd) Embodiment-   210. Cantilevered Watercraft Canopy System—3^(rd) Embodiment

1. A cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft toa dock, said cantilevered watercraft canopy system comprising: a. afirst whip secured to said dock by a first dock mount, said first whipbeing affixed to said retractable canopy along said first edge of saidretractable canopy, said first whip including a first tie down line,said first whip secured to said watercraft at a first watercraftattachment point; b. a second whip secured to said dock by a second dockmount, said second whip being affixed to said retractable canopy alongsaid second edge of said retractable canopy, said second whip includinga second tie down line, said second whip secured to said watercraft at asecond watercraft attachment point; c. a first retractable canopytie-down line, said first retractable canopy tie-down line furthersecuring said retractable canopy to said dock; d. a retractable canopyhaving a first and a second edge, said first whip being affixed to saidretractable canopy along said first edge, said second whip being affixedto said retractable canopy along said second edge; and e. a secondretractable canopy tie-down line, said second retractable canopy tiedown line further securing said retractable canopy to said watercraft;whereby said retractable canopy slides over said first and second whips,said retractable canopy being securable relative to an exterior side ofsaid watercraft, enabling said watercraft to be protected from sun,heat, pollution, dust, acid rain, sleet, hail, and flying debris thatmay be encountered during severe weather conditions while saidwatercraft is attached to said dock.
 2. The cantilevered watercraftcanopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, wherebysaid watercraft is secured to said dock by said cantilevered watercraftcanopy system to protect said watercraft from rubbing or bumping againstthe dock during severe weather conditions while said watercraft isattached to said dock.
 3. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system forsecuring a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, wherein said retractablecanopy is made of a flexible material, and said first and second whipsare made of fiber reinforced plastic.
 4. The cantilevered watercraftcanopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, whereinsaid retractable canopy is stretchable, stretching over said first andsecond whips.
 5. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securinga watercraft to a dock of claim 1, further comprising at least onesupport baten.
 6. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securinga watercraft to a dock of claim 1, wherein said retractable canopy issecured directly to said dock.
 7. The cantilevered watercraft canopysystem for securing a watercraft to a dock of claim 1, furthercomprising a third whip secured to said dock by a third dock mount, saidthird whip being affixed to said retractable canopy, said third whipincluding a third tie down line, said third whip secured to saidwatercraft at a third watercraft attachment point.
 8. A cantileveredwatercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to a dock, saidcantilevered watercraft canopy system comprising: a. a first and asecond whip secured to said dock, said first whip secured to said dockby a first dock mount, said second whip secured to said dock by a seconddock mount, said first whip including a first tie down line, said firstwhip secured to said watercraft at a first watercraft attachment point,said second whip including a second tie down line, said second whipsecured to said watercraft at a second watercraft attachment point; b. afirst retractable canopy tie-down line, said first retractable canopytie-down line further securing said retractable canopy to said dock, anda second retractable canopy tie-down line, said second retractablecanopy tie down line further securing said retractable canopy to saidwatercraft; c. a retractable canopy having a first and a second edge,said first whip being affixed to said retractable canopy along saidfirst edge, said second whip being affixed to said retractable canopyalong said second edge; and d. at least one support baten extendingalong a width of said retractable canopy; whereby said watercraft issecured by said cantilevered watercraft canopy system to protect saidwatercraft from rubbing or bumping against said dock.
 9. Thecantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to adock of claim 8, further comprising a third whip secured to said dock bya third dock mount, said third whip being affixed to said retractablecanopy, said third whip including a third tie down line, said third whipsecured to said watercraft at a third watercraft attachment point. 10.The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to adock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is made of a flexiblematerial, and said first and second whips are made of fiber reinforcedplastic.
 11. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing awatercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said canopy is retractable,stretching over said plurality of whips and attached to boat cleats onthe opposite side of said watercraft from said dock.
 12. Thecantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to adock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly tosaid dock.
 13. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing awatercraft to a dock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy isstretchable, stretching over said first and second whips.
 14. Thecantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to adock of claim 8, wherein said retractable canopy is secured directly tosaid dock.
 15. A cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing awatercraft to a dock, said cantilevered watercraft canopy systemcomprising: a. a first and a second whip secured to said dock, saidfirst whip secured to said dock by a first dock mount, said second whipsecured to said dock by a second dock mount, said first whip including afirst tie down line, said first whip secured to said watercraft at afirst watercraft attachment point, said second whip including a secondtie down line, said second whip secured to said watercraft at a secondwatercraft attachment point; b. a first retractable canopy tie-downline, said first retractable canopy tie-down line further securing saidretractable canopy to said dock, and a second retractable canopytie-down line, said second retractable canopy tie down line furthersecuring said retractable canopy to said watercraft; c. a retractablecanopy having a first and a second edge, said first whip being affixedto said retractable canopy along said first edge, said second whip beingaffixed to said retractable canopy along said second edge; and d. atleast one support baten extending along a width of said retractablecanopy; whereby said watercraft is secured by said cantileveredwatercraft canopy system to protect said watercraft from rubbing orbumping against said dock; and whereby said retractable canopy slidesover said first and second whips, said retractable canopy beingsecurable relative to an exterior side of said watercraft, enabling saidwatercraft to be protected from sun, heat, pollution, dust, acid rain,sleet, hail, and flying debris that may be encountered during severeweather conditions while said watercraft is attached to said dock. 16.The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to adock of claim 15, further comprising a third whip secured to said dockby a third dock mount, said third whip being affixed to said retractablecanopy, said third whip including a third tie down line, said third whipsecured to said watercraft at a third watercraft attachment point. 17.The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraft to adock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy is made of a flexiblematerial, and said first and second whips are made of fiber reinforcedplastic.
 18. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing awatercraft to a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy isstretchable, stretching over said first and second whips and attachableto boat cleats on the opposite side of said watercraft from said dock.19. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system for securing a watercraftto a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractable canopy is secureddirectly to said dock.
 20. The cantilevered watercraft canopy system forsecuring a watercraft to a dock of claim 15, wherein said retractablecanopy is secured directly to said dock.